Auburn temple to present ‘Under a Yellow Star’ Jan. 22

AUBURN — Temple Shalom is set to present “Under a Yellow Star” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the 74 Bradman St. temple.

The peer education play is based on real children and their writings during the Holocaust. The cast members, all Maine School Administrative District 17 students, are representing these children.

Students have researched their roles as well as other survivors. Students will be teaching peers and others about the Holocaust, as well as tolerance and understanding of the difference between people, according to a news release from Julie Waite, administrator.

Students also have researched the camps, the ghettos, the Kindertransport, the Righteous Among Nations propaganda and censorship. Students have worked through many exercises to understand why normal German citizens went along with Adolf Hitler’s pogrom. They also have researched genocides and crimes against humanity before and after World War II.

After the performance the children, who range in age from 5 to 16, and three adult actors, will come back onto the stage to answer questions from the audience about the Holocaust. The cast members will talk about what children can do to help create a diverse, accepting and welcoming community for all.

This look at the Holocaust from a child’s perspective helps children understand the dangers of prejudice and discrimination, and how it can spread on a large scale.

This performance is geared toward adults and students in grades five through eight. The 90-minute performance is free and open to the public.

“Under a Yellow Star” is sponsored by SAD 17, Maine Humanities Council, Oxford Hills Rotary, Norway Savings Bank, Oxford Federal Credit Union, Dirigo Federal Credit Union, Bearfoot Realty and private donors.

For more information, contact Waite at 207-786-4201 or temple6359@aol.com.